Engine Warning light

[craig]

We've been having a few issues with the DAF of late, we've spent around £3k on brakes for the MOT in Feb then throttle position sensor was playing up which cost another £1.8k in diagnostic and repairs, now there's Exhaust system Malfunction warning and Engine Power Limited warnings. Was thinking of trying to find a diagnostic tool as the dealer is taking £500 off us every time we go to get an issue resolved. Wouldn't be so bad if they got it right most of the time but it's normally multiple times each problem.
Anyone any experience with DAF diagnostic tools? I think it's a DAVIE that the local DAF dealer uses but I'm thinking other systems would work?
Check error codes and clear alarms kinda thing

Davie is DAF`s own diagnostic.
A basic Delphi type system will do a fair bit on them, the better the system the more cost and usually a monthly or yearly licence needed unless you go ebay knock off. The more expensive ones like Jaltest give you wiring diagrams as part of the licence.
I`ve got a Delphi but needs up dating, not sure whether to update or upgrade, but done most of what I've needed, also does car and vans, although I got a mobile guy to come when I wasn't 100% sure with an adblue fault, his system (I think he had Jaltest) went a bit deeper on the fault codes than mine, also it recoded the new adblue pump, which mine wouldn't.
The Delphi can system test some components like the adblue pump, and code some but not all parts.
With all the systems learning its description of the code can help in deciding whether its a mechanical problem, a sensor, or wiring and where to start looking first.
Are your batteries good? I've had weak batteries that can bring the exhaust warning up while starting. Is there adblue in the tank? tank gauges can stick showing some content but the tanks empty.
Check the resistance across the dosing module valve solenoid, should be around 15ohms from memory. Pull the rubber boots back off the NOX sensors, water can get in the harness and short the sensors.

 

[jd6820]

We've been having a few issues with the DAF of late, we've spent around £3k on brakes for the MOT in Feb then throttle position sensor was playing up which cost another £1.8k in diagnostic and repairs, now there's Exhaust system Malfunction warning and Engine Power Limited warnings. Was thinking of trying to find a diagnostic tool as the dealer is taking £500 off us every time we go to get an issue resolved. Wouldn't be so bad if they got it right most of the time but it's normally multiple times each problem.
Anyone any experience with DAF diagnostic tools? I think it's a DAVIE that the local DAF dealer uses but I'm thinking other systems would work?
Check error codes and clear alarms kinda thing

There are a couple of options, genuine dealer software or aftermarket. I run Jaltest for the AG/Plant side of the job, now I've a truck I'll be subscribing to the commercial vehicle module which does trailers too. Something the DAF dedicated software won't but all the aftermarket options are a jack of all trades not as good as the dealer option. Engine malfunction and Exhaust system issues, isn't that standard DAF default warnings? Pretty much every one I've driven pings those messages on the dash at regular intervals along with the mating call when you've not taken exhaust brake off before being ready to throttle.

 

[craig]

There are a couple of options, genuine dealer software or aftermarket. I run Jaltest for the AG/Plant side of the job, now I've a truck I'll be subscribing to the commercial vehicle module which does trailers too. Something the DAF dedicated software won't but all the aftermarket options are a jack of all trades not as good as the dealer option. Engine malfunction and Exhaust system issues, isn't that standard DAF default warnings? Pretty much every one I've driven pings those messages on the dash at regular intervals along with the mating call when you've not taken exhaust brake off before being ready to throttle.

I was quite impressed with what Is seen on the Jaltest, but was it about a grand a year for the licence? Someone I know has a different system which I can`t remember the make, but said you have to buy credits for stuff like coding, and the time expire if not used.

 

[jd6820]

I was quite impressed with what Is seen on the Jaltest, but was it about a grand a year for the licence? Someone I know has a different system which I can`t remember the make, but said you have to buy credits for stuff like coding, and the time expire if not used.

Could be Texa? Unlike Jaltest I believe Texa will continue working without a subscription. I'll confess it costs me £170 a month in updates, but for my job it can pay back in one job. A fair portion of my work is going round diagnosing faults for other mechanics and pointing them in the correct direction. Sometimes/often sorting the fault whilst I'm there, if it doesn't take me off my own job for too long. I suspect if I add the commercial vehicle functionality I'm reckoning a further £100 a month increase? But haven't priced it yet. Doesn't take more than one dealer diagnosis per month and that fee is justified.

 

[craig]

@Quattromike an other thing to check, which is often overlooked, is a tiny gauze filter where the adblue in pipe goes onto the pump. If I remember correctly, squeeze the tabs on the pipe and pull it out, and the filter is screwed in the port.

 

[Quattromike]

@Quattromike an other thing to check, which is often overlooked, is a tiny gauze filter where the adblue in pipe goes onto the pump. If I remember correctly, squeeze the tabs on the pipe and pull it out, and the filter is screwed in the port.

Will have a look this morning, it did show quarter tank of Adblue but I'll need to physically check it, I pulled the intank suction pipes out the tank and they were surprisingly clean but I'm now second guessing if they were in liquid

 

[Quattromike]

Will have a look this morning, it did show quarter tank of Adblue but I'll need to physically check it, I pulled the intank suction pipes out the tank and they were surprisingly clean but I'm now second guessing if they were in liquid

Yep definitely has a quarter tank of the pigs piss inthe tank. Going to the dealer this afternoon to plug in and play the tune of pound notes going to there bank

 

[Gecko]

Yep definitely has a quarter tank of the pigs piss inthe tank. Going to the dealer this afternoon to plug in and play the tune of pound notes going to there bank

How long does it take you to go through a tank of the stuff?

The reason I ask is that Mrs Gecko has a diesel mazda that isn't currently doing a lot of miles.
The tank holds 15L and that would normally last 20,000km (12,000 miles). However, the shelf life seems to be less than two years as that's about the time the ecu starts throwing error codes (three errors - always the same).
To make it happy again, I suck out the old piss, pour in a couple of liters of distilled water, suck that out and fill with fresh cat piss.
The error codes usually need to be cleared a couple of times before it realises its been fixed and then it's happy for the next couple of years.

 

[Quattromike]

So the DAVIE was plugged in and they reckon it's the adblue module, they can offer a DAF replacement or I can go to the local motor factors and get a Bosch one for half cost. I'll go Bosch I said, probably all made by Bosch anyway just DAF will add on gratitude sum to make people feel warm and fuzzy about spending money on branded items.
Still thinking about getting a plugin code reader but knowing what the code is pointing you towards is half the battle

 

[craig]

So the DAVIE was plugged in and they reckon it's the adblue module, they can offer a DAF replacement or I can go to the local motor factors and get a Bosch one for half cost. I'll go Bosch I said, probably all made by Bosch anyway just DAF will add on gratitude sum to make people feel warm and fuzzy about spending money on branded items.
Still thinking about getting a plugin code reader but knowing what the code is pointing you towards is half the battle

I`ve had a Bosch remanufactured one, to be honest it looked brand new, you would expect some slight pitting or scratch in the alloy housing if if was recon, but nothing. I was thinking they say it recon to get the old units back and out of circulation to stop anyone else doing them. £1000+vat, £250 surcharge on old unit.

 

[craig]

So the DAVIE was plugged in and they reckon it's the adblue module, they can offer a DAF replacement or I can go to the local motor factors and get a Bosch one for half cost. I'll go Bosch I said, probably all made by Bosch anyway just DAF will add on gratitude sum to make people feel warm and fuzzy about spending money on branded items.
Still thinking about getting a plugin code reader but knowing what the code is pointing you towards is half the battle

The adblue pump is a self contained system, with just a power supply and CAN lines from the truck, I would check the dosing module before parting with big money, just in case the person reading the codes are not up to speed. I`ve seen the dosing module fail but because its all self contained in the pump, the codes saying pump.
As a side note the Delphi will do function tests of the pump, pressure build up, blow back, motor current draw etc.

 

[jd6820]

Still thinking about getting a plugin code reader but knowing what the code is pointing you towards is half the battle

You've hit the nail on the head, I think the reason I end up with repeat work for other local independants is because they are getting a good idea where to look and what is likely wrong. Much more than just code reading, I've the upper hand as seeing lots of different machines and similar problems between brands you get a good idea of where to start. All depends how much the reader costs and what you are looking to get out of it. If you are mechanically savvy and keen to read and research codes then give one a go and see how you get on. Worse case you can sell the device on afterwards. A reader/trouble code is only as good as the person interpretting it and sometimes can throw you in the wrong direction too!

 

[Smiffy]

So the DAVIE was plugged in and they reckon it's the adblue module, they can offer a DAF replacement or I can go to the local motor factors and get a Bosch one for half cost. I'll go Bosch I said, probably all made by Bosch anyway just DAF will add on gratitude sum to make people feel warm and fuzzy about spending money on branded items.
Still thinking about getting a plugin code reader but knowing what the code is pointing you towards is half the battle

I don't know what your dealership is like but try and get one of the fitters aside and see if he will do it after work. Plenty of them run a whole business after hours using the main dealers computers. Someone I know questioned the dealership and why they don't stop it as they must know it's going on and they admitted that it's easier to let it happen than find new fitters.

 

[V8Druid]

OMG! what a nightmare gone are the days when a bag of spanners'd sort you on the side of the road

 

[Quattromike]

Just to top it off the steering box developed a leak on the casing had to put a new one in on Friday, another £600 odd quid. She's certainly hemorrhaging money the last two months .

 

[Quattromike]

Will need to look at our rate for hiab truck it seems we've been spoiled for the last few years of minimal costs, it's catching up with us just now . What's everyone's best guess for charge rate? 28T beavertail hiab truck 32T/m crane.

 

[Gecko]

gone are the days when a bag of spanners'd sort you on the side of the road

If you had an SU fuel pump, you also needed a hammer.

 

[Mogman]

Will need to look at our rate for hiab truck it seems we've been spoiled for the last few years of minimal costs, it's catching up with us just now . What's everyone's best guess for charge rate? 28T beavertail hiab truck 32T/m crane.

Mines a bit different 55t/m crane on a tractor unit 16.5 reach (2.2ton)

£90 per hour and a minimum of 3 hrs but mainly do price work

 

[Quattromike]

Mines a bit different 55t/m crane on a tractor unit 16.5 reach (2.2ton)

£90 per hour and a minimum of 3 hrs but mainly do price work

We're only 12M reach (2.1T) and probably not as manoeuvrable as a tractor unit, but the customer get to see my smile when I arrive so that's bound to be worth something

 

[Mogman]

We're only 12M reach (2.1T) and probably not as manoeuvrable as a tractor unit, but the customer get to see my smile when I arrive so that's bound to be worth something

Yea I’m a miserable git